Denomination of materials
What does, for example, H07RN-F mean?

In the coding or denomination of cables, an effort has been made to specify a series of characteristics for the product (materials, nominal voltages, conditions for use, etc.). For example, if the cable is harmonised, it will be preceded by the letter "H".

Depending on the material used in its manufacturing, cables will be coded in a specific way as part of their denomination. The codes of the most frequent materials are the following:
· normal PVC: V
· low temperature PVC: V3
· high temperature PVC: V2
· oil res. PVC: V5
· XLPE: R
· Steel tape armouring: F
· Aluminium tape armouring: Fa
· Steel wire armouring: M
· Aluminium wire armouring: Ma
· Steel braiding: T
· Copper braiding: O

Each layer of material in a cable will be included in the code, in order to indicate the material that makes up the layer. The working voltage should also appear in the cable coding . Standardised working voltages are coded as follows:

· 300/500 V: 05
· 450/750 V: 07
· 600/1000 V: 0.6/1 kV

The different cable configurations should also be coded in the product denomination . In this way, the different layers that make up the cable, type of conductor, etc., should also be specified.

In terms of the types of conductor, we can distinguish between two tipes of flexible conductor: one for fix installations and another one for mobile service. A cable for use in fix installations is one that, once installed, cannot be subject to constant movement. A cable for mobile service can be in constant movement once in operation (extension cords, crane and hoists, etc.).

· Rigid conductor Cl 1: U
· Rigid Cl 2: R
· Flexible conductor Cl 5 (fixed installation): K
· Flexible conductor Cl 5 (mobile service): F

The nominal sections of the cables should be included in the coded cable denomination. In this case, the number of conductors and their section should be indicated. If the cable has different sections both must be specified. In the event of a cable having a green/yellow conductor, the "x" is replaced by a "G".

· 4x16: 16 mm2 four conductor cable with no Green / Yellow conductor..
·3x16+1G10: 16 mm2 three conductor cable with a 10 mm2 aGreen / Yellow conductor.

The inscriptions that appear on the cables always follows a logical sequence. Here are some examples:

TOP CABLE POWERFLEX RV-K 0.6/1 KV 4G16 UNE 21123 IEC 60502 CE 010618

· TOP CABLE: In some standards, such as the UNE 21123. It is compulsory for the manufacturer’s name to appear in the cable markings, in this case TOP CABLE.
· POWERFLEX: Brand name of the cable.
· RV-K: Cable insulated using XLPE (R) compound and covered with PVC (V) compound. Flexible conductor Cl5 for fixed installation (K).
· 0.6/1 KV: The nominal voltage of the cable is 1000 V.
· 4G16: 16 mm2 four conductor cable with Green / Yellow (Earth) conductor.
· UNE 21123 IEC 60502: These are the design standards of the cable. In these standards, you can find the exact definition of the cables. Thickness, quality of the materials, trials to be carried out, etc. UNE 21123 Standard is the Spanish design standard. IEC 60502 Standard is the European standard on which the UNE 21123 standard is based.
· EC: Mandatory EC mark for selling the product within the European Community. This mark can appear on the product or on the packaging.
· 010618: Date of manufacture, in order to facilitate tracing the product back to source (18th of June of 2001).